I was recently on pinterest (no, I was not procrastinating. maybe), and I found this picture. I thought to myself: STORY. OF. MY. LIFE. There is not a day that goes by that I do not ask students to be quiet. In fact, there is not a class, there is not an hour, there are not five minutes that goes by that I do not ask students to be quiet. All I want to do is say, "Shut up" and slap a piece of duck tape on their mouths. However, this idea probably isn't legal. I told my students that they couldn't say shut up in my classroom, so I guess I shouldn't either. I suppose that I need a plan B to classroom management. But don't worry, not only have I had plan B, but I've had C and D. I've probably even had plan P and Q. I have changed ideas and implemented new ones so many times that I have lost track. But who wants to read about classroom management. Let's talk about what really matters: the kids.
I have this one student, let's call him Fabio, who has gotten to my heart. At the beginning of the year, we had a tough test to take. After the first two problems, Fabio had given up. I thought I had made a connection when I encouraged him to finish the test, but the next week he turned away. He wouldn't try anymore; he wouldn't follow my directions. He would put in his headphones and zone out. He was put on a tracker so that the counselors could track his behavior. At the end of every class, I rate his behavior on a scale of 0 to 2. There are categories such as being prepared for class, following directions, allowing others to learn, and giving your best effort. I typically would give him 0s or 1s. Thursday was a different story. He was eager to answer every question. After he got one question right, nothing could stop him. At the end of class, he was extremely eager for me to fill out his tracker. I considered filling out his tracker with all 2s, but this wouldn't properly show his outstanding participation. I made a new column: 3. I folded the tracker up and gave it back to him. With a smile on my face, I told him, "I don't know if I'm aloud to do that, but I did anyway." With curiosity, Fabio unfolded his tracker, saw the 3s and a smile swept over his face. I will never forget that sight. Never.
Thinking back on this situation, I tear up. This is why I teach: for Fabio. I don't want to be anywhere else.
